Welcome, Jenna. Please tell us about yourself.
I
am a multi-published author of historical romance. I write in all time periods
(Medieval, Georgian, Regency, Victorian) because, passion is timeless. I’ve been reading and writing historical
romance since I was a teenager, starting with Kathleen Woodiwiss’s The Wolf and the Dove. I’m also a Stephen King fan, and so I love
the dark side of romance, a twist, suspense, a surprise and I try to
incorporate all of these elements into my stories. For my day job, I’m a theatre director and educator at a
private university in Virginia. I make my home in Gloucester, Virginia with her
family, including two very vocal cats and one quiet one.
When did you first realize you wanted
to be a writer?
In the third grade. I wrote a story called
Miss Priss Finds a Kitten, including
illustrations. I always enjoyed reading and writing, and might have become a
writer earlier in my career, however, in high school I fell in love with
theatre and that shifted my focus until about 10 years ago.
What is your work schedule like when
you're writing?
During the school year, depending on my
class schedule, I usually get up early and write for a couple of hours before
going to school. If that doesn’t work, I
have to wait until I get home from work (usually late because of play
rehearsals) and then sit down and write until between midnight and 2:00 am.
Weekends I usually write early, before the family is up and disturbing me.
During the summers I try to go different places to write, again for quiet and fewer
distractions. My favorite place to write is a cabin in upstate New York that’s
completely off grid. All the peace and quiet a writer would want and friends
who know when to leave you alone and when to share a glass of wine.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
Plotting.
I am a plotter from top to bottom. I cannot begin to write unless I have an
outline (they usually run 12 to 15 pages) and I have to start at the beginning
and go straight through to the end.
I
do, however, allow for inspiration to insert itself into the outline. If
something occurs to me that will enrich or excite the plot, I have no problem
incorporating those things into the book, but I have to have that detailed
roadmap from the beginning.
Still
I love, love, love figuring out how to make the plot work, how to make
connections and actions that drive the characters. That’s the real fun part.
How many hours a day to you spend
writing?
I have written up to 10 hours in a day,
however, that was an exception and because I had a deadline I had to make. Normally, I write a chapter a day, which
takes me about four hours. If I only have to write for four hours, then usually
the pages are good. When I have to push for 2-four hour sessions, the second
session needs more work in revision and my head becomes fuzzy.
What do you like to do when you're not
writing?
I love to read, I love to travel (although
I really got my fill of that this past summer), and recently I love to sit and
binge watch old television series. I just finished watching 13 seasons of Supernatural with my elder daughter, and
am currently watching Call the Midwife
with my younger daughter and The West
Wing because it’s my favorite TV show ever!
If I were a first time reader of your
books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?
Well, the first thing I’d ask is what
historical period do you like best. That would color my answer. If you liked
medieval, I’d say Betrothal from the
Time Enough to Love series because a lot of readers have really loved my
heroine Alyse. If you like a bit wilder period, Only Scandal Will Do
would be perfect. It’s got lots of action, a very plucky heroine who can use a
sword with the best of them, and a hero who starts out as a villain, but
changes his tune. If you like Regency, as a lot of readers do, I’d suggest To Woo A Wicked Widow, which is a bit of
a different Regency as it’s about a widow who wants to enjoy her freedom but
gets sidetracked by a particularly handsome earl.
What two authors would we find you
reading when taking a break from your own writing?
Jo Beverley, even though I’ve already read
almost all of her books. I love them so much I re-read them a lot. And Diana
Gabaldon. I’m waiting avidly for the next Outlander book to release!
Tell us about your latest release.
My most recent release was Wedding the Widow, book 2 in The Widows’
Club series for Kensington Publishing. The premise of the series is that a
group of war widows band together and help one another begin life again a year
after their loss. Wedding the Widow
is the story of Elizabeth Easton, who was devastated by the loss of her
husband. Even a year later she’s not prepared to let go of her love for
him—until she meets the dashing, handsome Lord Brack. When one night of passion
leads to a horrible faux pas and desperate consequences, Elizabeth and Jemmy
have to fight tooth and nail for their Happy Ever After.
BLURB:
Of all the widows of
Lyttlefield Park, Elizabeth Easton seems least likely to remarry. Though many
gentlemen would love to get to know the charming Mrs. Easton better, she is
devoted to the memory of her late husband. Which is why she’s so shocked to be
overtaken by passion during a harvest festival, succumbing to an unforgettable
interlude with the handsome Lord Brack . . .
After enduring years of war, Jemmy, Lord Brack, plans to defer matrimony in favor of carefree pleasure. But who could resist a lifetime with Elizabeth Easton, a woman as marvelously sensual as she is sweet? Yet despite their mutual desire, she refuses to consider his proposal. With scandal looming, and their families bitterly opposed to the match, Jemmy must find a way to convince Elizabeth to risk her wary heart on him—and turn one infamous night into forever . . .
After enduring years of war, Jemmy, Lord Brack, plans to defer matrimony in favor of carefree pleasure. But who could resist a lifetime with Elizabeth Easton, a woman as marvelously sensual as she is sweet? Yet despite their mutual desire, she refuses to consider his proposal. With scandal looming, and their families bitterly opposed to the match, Jemmy must find a way to convince Elizabeth to risk her wary heart on him—and turn one infamous night into forever . . .
EXCERPT:
“What luck, my dear, to have drawn a waltz for our
set.” Lord Brack’s twinkling blue eyes caught Elizabeth’s attention. He used
that distraction to pull her close to him and lay his hand flat on her back.
What had this roguish young man been up to while she’d
been pouring out her troubles to Fanny?
“Indeed, I did not believe Lady Braeton one to court
scandal.” The intimacy of the waltz was said to be suited only to married
couples. She now agreed wholeheartedly.
“Not scandal, surely?” Brack took the opportunity of a
whirling step to draw her body closer to him, tightening his arm around her.
“Lord Brack!” How dare he?
“Jemmy, if you remember.” Effortlessly, he steered
them around the circle of dancers. Whatever he was, he was skilled on the dance
floor.
“Jemmy, then. You are holding me much too tightly.”
Secretly she found his nearness thrilling, though she couldn’t let him know
that.
“Nowhere near as tightly as I want to hold you.” He
inched her even closer. “As I have done in the past.” He pressed his mouth
close to her ear. “I remember holding you against me, all of you against all of
me. Don’t you remember how lovely that felt, Elizabeth? Don’t you want to feel
that again?”
Gasping for breath, Elizabeth fought the surge of
passion that threatened to overwhelm her merely by his closeness. She vividly
remembered their bodies entwined on her bed, kisses raining down all over her
neck and breasts. Heat exploded at her core and she fought to continue dancing
as though her body had not suddenly been engulfed in those flames once more. If
she was to continue the charade, she must steer the conversation into safer
waters.
“I believe the past should remain in the past, Lord—”
His eyes threatened to cut her like a finely honed
blade.
“Jemmy.” She eased away from him a trifle. Enough room
to let her take a deep breath. “Could we please walk about the room? I am not
used to dancing so much nor so fast.” She managed a cajoling tone and fluttered
her fan before her face, both to conceal her eyes and to cool her as much as
possible. The room itself seemed to exude heat.
“Of course, my dear.” He immediately broke off the
waltz and offered his arm. “Even though it took ten minutes of negotiating and
a gold sovereign to arrange this dance with the orchestra leader.”
“You didn’t?”
“I most certainly did. How else could I guarantee I’d
end up with you in my arms this evening?” He chuckled low in his throat and
drew her arm through his.
“You are much more devious than I imagined. At
Lyttlefield Park I would have said you were the perfect gentleman.” Instead,
Lord Brack was turning out to be one of those gentlemen Mama had warned her
about. The trouble was, she was no longer a young, inexperienced girl. Maybe
she no longer needed to travel the safe path.
“I can be your perfect gentleman, Elizabeth. A knight
in shining armor who rescues you from an uneventful life—”
“My life is not uneventful, I will have you know.” She
rapped his arm with her fan so sharply feathers flew.
“I can guarantee I will make it more meaningful, more
exciting than you ever dreamed.” He stopped at the far end of the ballroom near
a set of closed French doors. “I wish the night was not so cool. We could take
the air out on the balcony,” his voice became huskier, “and I could kiss you
again.”
BUY LINKS:
Last question. Where can readers find you? (social media, etc.)
Readers can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jenna_Jaxon
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